DOWNEY - It's American Education Week across the country this week, but not all teachers are happy, particularly those in California.The Downey Education Association put out a press release Monday "drawing attention to the fact that California and local schools don't have much to celebrate this year."
"If we are going to offer quality education to our students, we have to stop impoverishing our schools," Jeff Orlinksy, a science teacher at Warren High School and president of the Downey Education Association, said in a statement. "Public education is essential. Quality public schools build strong communities, and that's worth fighting for."
State budget cuts have decimated funding to public schools. More than $17 billion has been cut from education budgets the last two years, according to the Downey Education Association.